IT directors in no rush to move to Windows Server 2008

IT directors have given Microsoft's new Windows server operating system, due to be launched this month, a cool reception.

Windows 2008 Server will allow businesses to upgrade from 32-bit systems to faster 64-bit technology, and offers a range of useful features, including clustering improvements, the Server Core function and password and security enhancements.

But many businesses can see no compelling reason to upgrade, said David Roberts, chairman of The Corporate IT Forum, which represents senior UK IT managers. "Windows Server 2008 is not on anyone's radar," he said.

Owen Williams, partner and group head of IT at property firm Knight Frank, said he could see no compelling business case for upgrading to the new server operating system.

"There is neither a technical nor a business reason to upgrade," said Stephen Way, IT director of the precious metal products division at manufacturer Johnson Matthey.

Steve Wright, senior IT analyst, at health services provider Care UK, said there was no business driver to upgrade any of his existing servers to Windows Server 2008 during their expected hardware lifespan. "The earliest I would expect to consider an upgrade would be when the hardware is due for renewal," he said.

Concerns over the compatibility of applications are likely to deter most mainstream businesses from adopting the Windows Server 2008 over the next 12 months, analysts said.

Windows Server 2008 will allow businesses to upgrade to faster 64-bit technology, but delays in developing compatible applications will deter many users, said Beatriz Valle, research analyst at IDC.

"The move to 64-bit requires users to verify that device drivers and security software products are available for the new 64-bit code, which will slow down the speed with which companies can shift from evaluation to deployment," she said.

Microsoft's Windows Server 2008 home page >>